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(Bangalore Ed) 24 November |
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(Bangalore Ed) 24 November |
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PUTTAPARTHI: The millions gathered at Puttaparthi discarded sleep on Wednesday night in their enthusiasm to make it into the Hill View Stadium in time for the function scheduled for Thursday morning to celebrate the 75th birthday of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
PUTTAPARTHI: The millions gathered at Puttaparthi discarded sleep on Wednesday night in their enthusiasm to make it into the Hill View Stadium in time for the function scheduled for Thursday morning to celebrate the 75th birthday of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Crowds of people from the neighbouring villages, cities and countries started pouring into Puttaparthi on Wednesday night. Over the hills, through the dirt tracks, across the rough terrain, the night came alive with chants of Sai Ram as the never ending columns of devotees streamed into the temple town with a single purpose, to have a glimpse of Baba on his birthday. The thousands in the ashram too left the premises and headed for the stadium, jamming the narrow main road.
Wednesday, it seemed, blended into Thursday with no night in between. It was a hectic time for both the devotees and the volunteers of the Seva Dal. While the devotees waited in queues through the night the volunteers toiled to get the stadium ready for the brilliant function that Baba's birthday unfolds. Neither could possibly sleep.
By midnight, the stadium was already jam packed. And yet the streams of people from the neighbouring villages kept coming. Huge crowds tried in vain to get inside the stadium. Even the VIP section in front was full by 5.00 am. And as the first rays of Thursday's sun lit the stadium, one saw a sea of expectant faces, glowing with fervour and anticipation. None had time for fatigue. None had a thought for anything other than the white robed figure they had waited for all night.
When the silver and gold chariot bearing Baba entered the stadium at 6.45 am, the atmosphere was electric. The hands held aloft in a gesture of blessings from the chariot was the sight they had struggled these last few days for. Tears of joy flowed down many a cheek and the blasts from the fireworks that rent the air echoed the heartbeats in the stadium. The laddu distributed to all was prasad for the soul, to be carefully packed and carried back home for the whole family.
With the chants of vedas and bhajans heard in the last few days still ringing in their ears, the lakhs made their way homeward. Contented and their hearts full.
Baba's blessings will tide them over another year. And before you know it, it is time to come back to Puttaparthi. Anyone having been here once for Baba's birthday seldom fails to turn up again the next year. For another experience in spirituality, for more lessons in morality, and above all, Baba's immense love.